Tax Assessment Order Invalidated: Procedural Errors Void AO's Decision, Intra-Group Services Charges Upheld Under Section 144C(13)

ITAT held that the final assessment order was void ab initio due to non-compliance with DRP directions under Section 144C(13). The tribunal found the Assessing Officer (AO) did not follow specific procedural requirements, rendering the assessment order invalid. Regarding intra-group services (IGS), the tribunal allowed the assessee's claim, determining that the payments were genuine, made without markup, and benchmarked appropriately. The tribunal emphasized that tax authorities cannot question expenses when transactions are legitimate and serve business purposes. The disallowance of intra-group service charges was consequently deleted, upholding the arm's length principle and rejecting the need for a strict tangible commercial benefit test. .....

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